It really depends on what you want and most people feel the fastback is more sportier looking.
I actually bought (and still have) a complete fastback rear clip for my Pro-Street Fiero untill I realized that the car appears smaller as a notchback and gets more rear wheel downforce with its aero wing than if it were a fastback.
Only 11% of the total Fieros produced were the 'fastback' style; only 26% during the 3 years both styles were available. So, maybe it's preferred by some as it was less common. People seem to favor similar looking cars in all segments...
I've always preferred the notch back style - I think it's more distinctive.
The Fastback tends to be more popular with the average person but there is still a strong following for the coupes.
The Coupes also tend to be a little lighter too and that is why the Formulas were used more often for Autocross in the SCCA back in the day.
The thing is too take off the bodies and they are all just alike anyways so it is just a matter of perception.
To be the GT fastback was nice but since I first saw the PPG Turbo cars the factory car to me looked wrong to me. I love the Coupe tail light with the duck tail deck lid on the PPG cars over the big tail lights. But that is just me. Nothing wrong with either just my preference.
I used to prefer the fastback, but about 5 or so years ago my preference for the notchie (87-88 style) took the lead. I still have both body styles... but haven't driven the fastback one in over a year... the notchie was driven daily most of the summer. Here is my 88 notchie:
[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 01-03-2016).]
When the Fiero first cam out in 84, I wanted one. Then in 86 the fastback came out and I fell in love and REALLY wanted one. By 1989 when I bought my first vehicle while I still wanted a Fiero I had gotten into the idea of a lowered mini-truck and customizing it. So many many years with driving and customizing trucks go by and I get married. Eventually the kingcab truck just didn't have the interior seating space needed and I moved on to a 4 door car. At that point in my life, a Fiero just wasn't on my radar anymore and if it had been I wouldn't have gotten it anyway because seating would have been worse than in my truck. Years go by, kids grow, situations change and we were at a point where picking up a car for "play" became doable. So I started thinking about what to get. Many came up on the list and another mini-truck was sitting on that list but I figured nah get something a little different. So I looked at the list and different was there in 2 forms. Fiero and 1st gen. MR2. I decided to go that route and thought up some other possible mid engine 2 seaters that would be ok if I couldn't find either of those. The thing I realized while looking though is the 1st gen MR2 shares what with a Fiero? The notched back look. While I still liked the fastback, I just like the notch back look a lot more. That's not saying I would never get a fastback, just that I prefer the notch back. So really I think it's more personal preference. Some like one others like the other. Add into that, there were most likely more notch backs made than fastbacks and the commonality of the notch back may decrease desire for it a little also. It reminds me of a post on here once where a guy said something to the effect of "Why would anybody EVER buy anything other than a 88 to do a swap in?". Well, because in reality the number of 88's made was less than 10% of total Fiero production. Why fastback? Well, less of them were made. Less common make for more desirable usually.
I am a notchback fan. I think the best looking Fiero is the '85 GT, but I got a crank window Formula for the transmission and suspension. Who says no one want a Notchie?
Huge notchback fan here. I've always preferred the notchbacks over the fastbacks. The fastbacks have a heaviness in my opinion. But that's my opinion and I understand why others prefer them over notchbacks.
Notchback styling in general was very popular in the early 80s. But by the late 80s every, and I mean everything was going to the fastback look. Even large sedans got the fastback look, a trend which continues to this day. So even though the fastback look is kind of fake with the flying buttress windows that are not even real windows, it looks more modern.
Generally the notchback is preferred by people that like the retro 80s look. People that want a more modern look prefer the fastback.
Generally the notchback is preferred by people that like the retro 80s look. People that want a more modern look prefer the fastback.
I can see that. Maybe that's why I like the look of the 3rd gen Camaro in the convertible, no fastback glass.
Or why I like the 240SX coupe over it's much more common fastback.
There are cars I like that are fastbacks and wouldn't mind owning but in general I prefer the flat rear deck. Which is kind of odd because when you start talking commuter cars like Jetta, Civic, Protege and such I prefer the hatchback versions of those. Yes there is no hatchback "Jetta", but for many years in the 80's and 90's the Golf was essentially a Jetta hatchback.
[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 01-01-2016).]
I am a big fan of the coupe...have a fastback conversion just sitting in storage but I just can't seem to change it out. The notchie is growing on me a lot
I actually bought (and still have) a complete fastback rear clip for my Pro-Street Fiero untill I realized that the car appears smaller as a notchback and gets more rear wheel downforce with its aero wing than if it were a fastback.
I have heard people claim this, but have not seen any real facts to back it up. Unless you are going well over 150 MPH, there will likely be little to no downforce.. plus the Fiero carries too much weight in the back anyway, so the concern should be downforce in the front, not the rear at fast speeds.... Perhaps I am wrong, but I think that the only additional downforce the spoiler provides on a Fiero is due to its' weight
I've had both styles. I started with an 86SE, due to parts availability. I think the notchie lights look better. The fastback lights would be improved if they were full height, rather than half amber and half red. More like the firebird lights of the 90's.
I don't like the notchie angle. It bears more that a passing resemblance to a troublesome boxer dog.
I prefer the aero style, but the non-aero front looks more modern.
That was a very low production anomaly that bucked the trend. I remember when it came out I hated it... (still do).
Might add the 88 GTA Notch Back Option only sold in the hundreds. The trend was over by then. In all the years I have only ever saw 3 and it has been years since I saw those. I go to the largest Pontiac meet in the country for over 20 years and never saw one there.
It really depends on what you want and most people feel the fastback is more sportier looking.
I actually bought (and still have) a complete fastback rear clip for my Pro-Street Fiero untill I realized that the car appears smaller as a notchback and gets more rear wheel downforce with its aero wing than if it were a fastback.
By the way, I've always hated the term "notchie".
Actually there is no down force for the wing. GM clearly stated this back in the day and it matter little what body there is no down force in the wing.
Now if you want to save a little weight the GT panels do add a little weight to the car. Not much but at 130+ HP ever pound helps.
I have heard people claim this, but have not seen any real facts to back it up. Unless you are going well over 150 MPH, there will likely be little to no downforce.. plus the Fiero carries too much weight in the back anyway, so the concern should be downforce in the front, not the rear at fast speeds.... Perhaps I am wrong, but I think that the only additional downforce the spoiler provides on a Fiero is due to its' weight
The wing holds not down force no matter the speed. It was a styling element only. There is not even any lip and there is little air coming over the roof too hit it. That is why the GTU cars used the whale tails.
In the winter the snow would sit on it and the only area that would lose snow was the ends from the heat out of the vents.
I have heard people claim this, but have not seen any real facts to back it up. Unless you are going well over 150 MPH, there will likely be little to no downforce.. plus the Fiero carries too much weight in the back anyway, so the concern should be downforce in the front, not the rear at fast speeds.... Perhaps I am wrong, but I think that the only additional downforce the spoiler provides on a Fiero is due to its' weight
LOL!
Mine has a big block Chevy in the front. I think you can figure out where most of my weight is.
Eerrr What wing? You have a spoiler there is a difference.
quote
Originally posted by Thunderstruck GT:
It really depends on what you want and most people feel the fastback is more sportier looking.
I actually bought (and still have) a complete fastback rear clip for my Pro-Street Fiero untill I realized that the car appears smaller as a notchback and gets more rear wheel downforce with its aero wing than if it were a fastback.
By the way, I've always hated the term "notchie".
And what were these called on the Firebird?..........
Aero Wing
I know, my '87 Formula Firebird came with one and that is what it was called.
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